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Climate Change and Health

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What's the Problem?

Climate change refers to major decadal changes in the earth’s temperature, rainfall, snow, and wind patterns. Human activities are mainly responsible for the drastic warming we’ve seen in recent decades. We release greenhouse gases (GHGs) as a result of burning fossil fuels (like coal and oil), using energy to drive, using electricity to light and heat our homes, and through other activities that support our quality of life. GHGs trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the earth’s temperature to increase.

Who's at Risk?

Everyone’s affected by climate change, but some communities are more vulnerable to the health effects:

Poor communities

Children

Elderly

People with pre-existing medical conditions

Areas with weak health infrastructure

Can It Be Prevented?

The extent and speed of global climate change is driven by human activities. If we continue emitting GHGs at or above the current rate, the average global temperature is expected to increase by 3° to 7° F by 2100. Although this increase might seem minor, it’s a larger and faster increase than anything we’ve seen over the past 10,000 years. As the earth’s temperature continues to warm, the effects of global climate change are expected to be more severe:

Heat waves will be more common, severe, and longer lasting

Storms will be stronger

Flooding and damage in coastal areas will increase

To lessen the health effects of climate change, we need to lessen the amount of GHGs being emitted. We also need to take action to adapt to our already changing climate and the specific health risks that come with it. We also need interventions that geographically and temporally target very susceptible populations.

The Bottom Line

Climate change affects the basic requirements for health. By reducing GHG emissions, we’ll not only lessen the extent of future climate change, but it’ll also result in improved health in the present.

Here are some ways to save energy and reduce GHG emissions:

Change your lights

Replace regular light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs

Heat and cool smartly

Clean air filters regularly

Get your heating and cooling equipment tuned annually by a licensed contractor

Replace old heating and cooling equipment with high efficiency models and make sure they’re properly sized and installed

Use green power

Use green power, which is environmentally friendly electricity that’s made from renewable energy sources like wind and sun

Buy your power from a company that uses green power

Create a greener home by installing solar panels and researching incentives for renewable energy in your state

Reduce, reuse, and recycle

Recycle newspapers, beverage containers, paper and other goods

Use products in containers that can be recycled

Use items that can be repaired or reused

Buy products made from recycled materials

Use water efficiently

Water your lawn or landscape only when needed and do it during the coolest part of the day, early morning is best

Turn the water off while shaving or brushing teeth

Fix leaky toilets and faucets

Drive smart

Choose the cleanest, most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs

Give your car a break

Use public transportation, carpool or walk or bike whenever possible to avoid using your car.

Combine your activities and errands into one trip

Consider working from home

Case Example

Daniel is a 17-year-old high school football player who is 6’1 and 230 pounds. He’s practicing with his team in 99°F heat during a mid-July heat wave. Daniel’s pushing himself to do well because he knows recruiters will be at his next game, so he’s been sweating profusely for the last few minutes. A teammate notices that Daniel’s become confused during the plays, has hot skin, and seems incoherent. Daniel collapses on the field. His coach tries to resuscitate him while the ambulance is on its way. He’s transported to the hospital, where Daniel has a temperature of 109.1°F. The following day, Daniel dies of a heat stroke, a common Heat Related Injury (HRI). As a result of climate change, heat waves which can cause HRI will become more intense and last longer.